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I joined this organization back on 2008. I had a horrible time with them. the director (Marco) is most rude and Rebecca who is a siter of Marco also most rude to volunteer. My recomdation never use this organization.

Comments

Hi,
I am Rebecca Demes, Marco´s "rude" sister, this looks as a competitor´s comment; by March, 2009; we did not have programs in San Isidro as we did before; so, no one was working there. It is sad to see how people just take time to do this kind of unethical competition.

I returned from paid English program in China.
My experience was life changing and rewarding. I have just paid $799 (nearly British Pound 350) for one month program.
Before joining Global China program. I have also checked the major British Companies (I-to-I, Teaching Abroad). They charge nearly $2000 for just for 4 weeks of simple volunteer program in China (no travel at all). so, I feel Global Crossroad offers the best price and value for college students. Global web also shows that their company has been growing exponentially. Nearly 200 volunteers have posted thier positive feedbacks in the web
In summary, I believe no other british or US companies can offer the price and program that Global offers in China. I and many other volunteers who have joined Global program recommend their program for volunteers.
Nichole San
Florida

I was horribly disappointed with my Madventurer volunteer experience, and for many different reasons:
-- the volunteer trip started two days late, but they did nothing to accommodate us while we waited for them to sort out their problems
-- the trip was overbooked, so there were too many volunteers and not enough tools or work for everyone
-- they gave us broken shovels that they borrowed from locals, and did not buy a single new shovel with the tens of thousands of dollars they received in total from all volunteers on this project. I would have brought my own shovel had they simply asked!
-- they said that we would be working in an extremely poor community, but we stayed in a house that had electricity and many of our neighbors had satellite dishes, nice cars, and electric fences surrounding their big houses
-- they promised that we would have an opportunity to meet with local women and assist them with business development, but there was not a single opportunity to do this
-- the project was poorly managed and our time was wasted. For example, they dropped bricks off a hundred feet away from our build site instead of driving down another road and dropping them off just twenty feet away. When I pointed out this inefficiency, the group leader said "well, we need more work for the extra volunteers anyway". Umm.... no, I didn't travel to Africa to do busy work, but actually came here to make a difference.
-- There was a new school building that was not being used because it was missing window coverings. Rather than spend our time and money on this, the group leader wanted us to pain a mural instead. Why? These children don't need pictures, they need classrooms!
-- there were two little boys in the school who would carry the same desk back and forth from classroom to classroom. Meanwhile, there was a new classroom full of desks that was being used as the lunch room for the teachers and volunteers. There were many more desks than needed in this new, unused classroom, so simply no need for these two boys to keep moving the same desk back and forth. When I pointed out that these two boys could spend more time studying if we just moved one of these desks to the other classroom, the group leader told me that "we shouldn't get involved." Why?! I came here to get involved!
-- the group leader did not speak Swahili and could not negotiate any of the project specifications with the locals (or help us to reach to others in the community)
-- they bought one can of paint and proceeded to water it down so much that it took at least ten coats to cover a wall when only two should have been needed. I read the directions on the can, and told them that they were watering it down too much. The group leader again said, "This is how they do it here." Okay... and they are a developing nation, so do you think that maybe they need some help from those of us who actually understand efficiency?
There were 14 to 20 volunteers on this one project, most of us standing around while a couple of people worked with the few lousy tools provided. It was a poor use of many good people's time, and we ultimately did little to help this community. A total disappointment.

Comments

Dear Heather
Dear Christie
I'm trying to get more information about people who have had bad experiences with these big gap year organisations.
Would you mind emailing me? otto.rich@yahoo.co.uk
I'd really appreciate it!
Regards

It is hard to believe that my study abroad experience with ASA was five years ago. During college I was interested in studying in London and with in minutes of submitting an online information request to ASA, Lee Frankel, Director of ASA, called me to explain what ASA had to offer--talk about customer service! After learning about what the program to London offered, I realized that this program was by far the most all inclusive program available. In addition to this, every time I had a question or concern (which was often!) the ASA staff was always there to guide me. I spent the best few months of my college career at Regent's College. In fact, my time studying at Regent's was so influential I ended up starting a career in International Education. Being a participant on an ASA program not only provided me with a truly unique study abroad experience, it helped me shape my future in both personal and professional ways.